Social Influences and the Theory of Planned Behaviour: Evidence for a Direct Relationship Between Prototypes and Young People's Exercise Behaviour

Authors: Rivis A.¹; Sheeran P.¹

Source: Psychology and Health, Volume 18, Number 5, October 2003 , pp. 567-583(17)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

This study employed a prospective questionnaire design to assess the predictive validity of prototypes and descriptive norms in relation to young people's exercise behaviour after variables from the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and past behaviour had been controlled. Findings supported the utility of the TPB, descriptive norms, prototype similarity, and past behaviour in predicting intentions and behaviour. Importantly, prototype similarity was directly associated with behaviour, both on its own and through its relationship with descriptive norms, even after controlling for the TPB and past behaviour. Findings are discussed in relation to; (1) the role of social identification in motivating health-related decisions and behaviour, (2) the current conceptualisation of social influences in the TPB, and (3) recent research on the "perception-behaviour expressway".

Keywords: Predictive validity; Theory of planned behaviour; Exercise behaviour

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/0887044032000069883

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychology University of Sheffield Sheffield S10 2TP UK

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